But Argentina would be the first of three clashes between the pair - their relationship nosediving after further incidents at Assen and Sepang, by which time Rossi had publically declared that Marquez was trying to help Jorge Lorenzo win the title.

Asked by a local reporter after qualifying if Valentino was still his idol, Marquez replied: "Valentino is a reference for everyone with all the years he has been racing, but now I look at him with different eyes."

Marquez took pole position despite two falls, the second of which meant he missed the final minutes of qualifying.

"We know what my crashes today were due to; the first was down to changing the setup but the second was because we pushed too hard. That is what happens in the qualifying session."

Qatar winner Lorenzo will join Marquez and Rossi on the front row. All three would prefer to race with the medium compound rear tyre, but it could be withdrawn pending the outcome of further investigations into an incident for Scott Redding.

"Tomorrow it will be vital to choose our rear tyre well, because with the soft I feel very good but I do not know if we can use it. We will have to wait for the decision from Michelin."